Fear or Love?

The other day I was walking the dog and she did a peculiar thing. Usually nose-to-the-ground, Anna suddenly looked up to see three large Huskies headed in our direction. I thought she would wag her tail in friendly greeting and run straight toward them, but she yanked me around, heading as fast as she could in the opposite direction. Every now and then she would look back over her shoulder to see if they were still following as she pulled me frantically towards home.

Now these were not unfamiliar dogs. We often see them on our walks, tied securely around their master's waist, and they pay little attention to us whatsoever. But on this day, maybe because they were slightly above us on the uphill climb, they loomed too large for my little dog.

I had to laugh in self-recognition. Sometimes I am just like that. Something "looms large" on the horizon and I want to turn tail and run.

What do you see when you look ahead? Is there anything that seems too big for you? Too threatening? Too scary? What is your natural response? Do you hide out at home? Confront it? Ignore it? Tiptoe gingerly around it? Make friends with it? Run?

Fear naturally generates a "fight or flight" response and in this case, Anna chose to flee. If the Huskies had been a real threat (and maybe they were) I would say she had chosen the appropriate response. Her little 35 pound body would not survive an attack of one of those big dogs, much less three. I am glad her instincts serve her so well.

Sometimes, though, my fears are more imaginary than real. Rarely, if ever, do I feel my life is in danger. My fears are usually connected with the word "enough." Am I good enough, smart enough, kind enough? Do I have enough to be enough for enough people?

Then, in prayer, it comes to me... all you need is love. Have you ever really listened to the words of that old Beatles' song?

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
It's easy.

All you need is love...

There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love...

What makes me always want to complicate something so "easy"?

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear..." 1 John 4:18a